The Osceola times., 1887-04-09
CALIFORNIA; SENSATION.
Ki.sape's Identity with william X. Rogers
aweaIthy sonoma County Ranch Owner
Pretty Clearly Estabiished-An ADVENT
urous Career. Covering Many years
Coming to Light.

Coming to Light.
San Francisco, April AT last the
mystery Is solved and the question, Nv no
is Kissanei" that set the city by the ears
for the past week is answered. Wllliam
Kissane is known here as VIM. X. Rogers,
wealthy farmer of Sonoma County
There are many strongly romantic feat
ures in the story. not the least remark
able being the fact that ktssane mas
brother living in San Francisco under an
other name, and who Is one OF her most
influential citizens 1t is this brothers
influence, embracing as II does railroad
and legal and masonic circles, that has 50
effectually stopped the publication OF
the expose. Although the name was
known Friday night, and although 1t is
known that more than one paper had the
full story in type, not one word was
printed Saturday morning, and, IN the
evening the New York dispatches con-
cerning the matter were suppressed. A
German paper-The Demokrdt-alone
broke the compact Of silence.
Kissane's story is this: He had shoe
factory in Cincinnati in 1853, which burned
down in mysterious manner one night
The fire also destroyed an adjoining soap
factory of Pope Il Corder, bringing the
families of the members OF this hrm 10
beggary. A son-in-law of Pope named
Darr came to California a few years ago,
recogniz d Kissane, and notified the
Chemical Bank. After the fire kissane
and others chartered the steamer Martha
Washington, and ostensibly loaded her
with boots and shoes. During her trip the
steamer was destroyed by fire, several
lives being lost. Charges of mur'
der and arson followed. kissane
joined Walkers Nicaragua expedi-
ton, deserted in 1861, and went
to Virginia City, New. There he entered
into partnership with a man named Girls .
som, who recently died IN the poor-house,
and Henderson, now a wealthy maa OF
Santa Clara County. Together they OBJ
tancd mine, paying $1,000 month,
which soon made them rich. Rogers,
with his share, bought the oil Surf estate,
near Sonora, and settled down into
country life. As to W. X, Rogers, he be-
come friend of Colonel Peter Donohue,
and was associated with him in rail
road building in 1873. H. became county
supervisor, was made president of the
board in 1915, and has served without in
terruption ever since.
Though the present disclosure is the
first IN the nature of a public sensation, 1t
is by no means the first with which he has
been thu catened. In quarrel with the
Sonoma County paper, in lS19, Rogers
career was hinted at, and from what can
be learned the old man has been pretty
freely bled. He is a big, tall fellow, car
rying his years and experience wonder
fully well, lives in good style, and Is
father of two children and step-father to
two grown-up daughters, having married
a widow. He enjoys the reputation Of be-
ing an extremely charitable and most in
dulgent parent.
Kissane's family reaches from high to
low. At the top stands the extremely
prominent citizen referred TO, next comes
Rogers, and last comes toamster also
living in San Francisco who still keeps the
name of kssane The el lest kissane
married twice, his second wife being the
mother of the Influential citizen referred
10, so that between him and Rogers half
brotherhood only exists.
AsUIT FOR BLACKMAIL-KIssANE's BROTHER
New YoRK, April 4-The officers of the
Chemical Bank have received a telegram
from General Darr. who is in San Fran.
CISCO, informing them that he had revealed
the identity of Kissane in that city. To a
reporter Mr. j. L. Parsons, Of the bank.
subsequently acknowledged that VIM X.
Rogers was the assumed name of Kis-
sane The president of the bank, George
G. Williams sad: 'The man has not re-
formed. Half OF his crimnalty IN the
past has not been told, and his career in
California has not been entirely free from
dishonor.n Mr. Williams would not say
any thing definitely as to the offenses
committed by Kissane in California, OK
cept to intimate that when last heard
from he had been on "spree," and that
his domestic life was not without stain" "
General Darr has taken some initiative
steps toward bringing an action against
Mr. J. 3. Hart in San Francisco for libel
Gus utterances concerning himself in as
cribng his motive in connection with Kis-
sane to a desire to levy blackmail.
Mr.. J. b. Hart, the San Francisco lawyer,
was again interviewed yesterday, and cool
ly denied that VIM. Kissane is at present
known in California under the name of
William K Rogers If Kissane had been
in Nicaragua, he said, as member of
General Walkers expedition, ne did not
know it,
The reporter informed Mr.. Hart that
General Darr had telegraphe to the
Chemical Bank that he hal revealed X s.
sane's identity. Mr.. Hart replied:
"Well IL that is so suit will be brought
against General Darr in the morning for
blackmail."
One of the points in the strange history
which received fresh emphasis yesterday
was the original statement concerning the
brother Of Kissane mentioned above, who
10 al IN hn "a la rn-
siding in San Francisco,
While the position which william Kis
sane has achieved in California is said to
have been greatly exaggerated by rumor
and imperfect report, that Of his brother
is declared to be really great deal
superior, both IN social and political
sense. The lawyer is a man to whom
other IN en- look up with the highest re-
spect-a leader in the best private circles,
and the possessor of immense wealth.
Having gained these facts in advance,
the reporter asked Mr.. Hart concerning z
them. He did not hesitate to confirm the
story as above related, although he, of
course, firmly declined TO give the name
Of X ssane's brother.
what is his rank as 3 lawyerr was
asked.
nc - phc Va thc 1hitc VI louf ioI'HOsl
lawyers of California" was the reply.
"Has he held political ofiice"
"Eesn
Has he ever been on the bench;r
"No.n
"Why did he assume a different name
than that Of his brotherl"
"Why, TO protect himself from the con
sequences of the possible exposure Of the
latter."
Sued On an Old Note.
CLErELAND, O., April 4.-ln May, ls55,
Senator Jones, OF Nevada, made an ac-
cOmupodatiOn noie for 81 nyD for the hone